Pressurized dispensing package

ABSTRACT

A pressurized dispensing package system includes two dispensing packages, each package including a projecting discharge passage structure. Transfer structure defines a closed passage that provides communication between the two discharge passage structures and interconnecting structure includes indexing means that permits the passage structures to be brought into communication only when the contents of the two packages are such that mixing of the contents is desirable, and latching structure for maintaining the transfer structure and the packages in proper position relative to each other for transfer of material from one package to another in a refilling operation.

Unite Staes atent 1191 Nigro PRESSURIZED DISPENSING PACKAGE [75]Inventor: Louis V. Nigro, Saugus, Mass.

[73] Assignee: The Gillette Company, Boston,

Mass.

22 Filed: Mar. 3, 1971 21] Appl. No.: 120,467

[52] US. Cl .141/20, 141/349 [51] Int. Cl ..B65b 1/04, B65b 3/04 ['58]Field of Search ..222/402, 16, 182;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,131,733 5/1964 Monahon..141 20 3,126,132 3/1964 Lyon etal. ..141/20 [11] 3 731 3 7 355 [451May 23, 3913 3,137,414 6/1964 Steinkamp ..222/l82 PrimaryExaminer-Houston S. Bell, Jr. AttorneyWi1lis M. Ertman 5 7 ABSTRACT Apressurized dispensing package system includes two dispensing packages,each package including a projecting discharge passage structure.Transfer structure defines a closed passage that provides communicationbetween the two discharge passage structures and interconnectingstructure includes indexing means that permits the passage structures tobe brought into communication only when the contents of the two packagesare such that mixing of the contents is desirable, and latchingstructure for maintaining the transfer structure and the packages inproper position relative to each other for transfer of material from onepackage to another in a refilling operation.

23 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEU 2 9 7 SHEET 2 OF 3 FIG 5 n lu l28se -a g I PRESSURIZED DISPENSING PACKAGE SUMMARY OF INVENTION Thisinvention relates to pressurized dispensing packages and moreparticularly to systems that permit the refilling of such pressurizeddispensing packages.

Pressurized containers are used for dispensing a wide variety ofproducts including insecticides, deodorants, antiperspirants, shavingpreparations, dessert toppings, etc. Conventional pressurized dispensingpackages are filled by the manufacturer and are discarded by theconsumer after those contents have been dispensed. A relatively largesize pressurized dispensing package reduces the cost to the user butsuch large containers are cumbersome and inconvenient and small sizepressurized dispensing packages, while convenient to store and use, arerelatively expensive in terms of material dispensed. It has beenproposed that the use of pressurized dispensing packages of relativelysmall size might be extended by arrangements that permit the user toeasily and safely refill one relatively small container refilled from alarger sized pressurized dispensing package, thus providing the consumerwith greater convenience and reducing his overall cost. Such a system,in addition to making more economical the use of small pressurizeddispensing packages, would also increase the flexibility and conveniencewith which various products packaged in this manner can be used.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide apressurized dispensing package system including at least two dispensingpackages that may be brought together for transfer of material to onefrom the other, the system insuring that the contents of the twopackages are proper for such transfer refilling and, when proper,allowing the packages to be locked together during transfer. Otherobjects include, in systems in which the packages are indexed andinterlocked, providing for at least one of the packages a simpleactuator that is movable in engagement with the one dispensing packagebetween a dispensing configuration in which the dispenser valve is incommunication with the actuator and a transfer configuration in whichthe actuator is pivotally spaced from the valve and the valve is exposedso that it can be connected to the other dispensing package forrefilling.

The invention features, in a first aspect thereof, a pressurizeddispensing package system comprising, in combination, at least twopressurized dispensing packages, each of which includes a projectingdischarge passage structure, a transfer structure for sealinglyconnecting the two discharge passage structures, and interconnectingstructure for maintaining the transfer structure and the packages inposition relative to each other with the passages in communication fortransfer of material from one package to the other in a refillingoperation. In a second aspect the invention features interconnectingstructure which includes indexing means, such as cooperating stops andguides, for permitting the passages to be brought into communicationonly when the contents of the dispensing packages are such as to makerefillingdesirable. In a preferred embodiment, which includes bothaspects, one of the dispensing packages includes an upstanding tubularvalve stem, a support cap, and an actuator having a recess for receivingthe stem, features that improvement wherein the cap and actuator includeengaged cooperating portions which permit movement of the actuatorrelative to the cap in a direction parallel to the stem axis between afirst position wherein the stem is seated within the recess and a secondposition wherein the actuator is spaced from the stem with the recessaligned with the stern, and permit relative pivotal movement of the capand actuator about an axis generally perpendicular to the stem axis fromthe second position to a third position wherein the actuator is spacedfrom the stem with the recess out of alignment with the stem, thecooperating portions including stop means for preventing movement of theactuator away from the cap in the direction parallel to the stern axisbeyond the second position. A preferred embodiment also provides asystem in which one of the actuator and cap defines a projecting supporthaving lugs extending outwardly from opposite sides thereof, the otherof the cap and actuator includes a socket having spaced parallelguideways for receiving the sockets, the lugs are snap-fitted within theguideways, and detent means are provided for locking the cap andactuator in the third position. In that embodiment, the two packageshave cooperating cylindrical guide walls which carry the indexing andlatching structure.

The invention thus provides a convenient, reliable and economical systemenabling the user to refill a small (daughter) pressurized dispensingpackage from a larger (mother) dispensing package. The daughter packagemay be of a size suitable for carrying in a purse, for example, and neednot be discarded when the material initially loaded into it has beendispensed. Rather, the daughter container may be readily refilled fromthe mother package-simply through moving the actuator component fromdispensing position to refill position and latching the appropriatemother package to the daughter package, thus concurrently actuating thevalve assemblies of both mother and daughter packages.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear fromthe following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, takentogether with the attached drawings, in which:

.FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a pressurized dispensingpackage constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are sectional views of the package of FIG. I in differentconfigurations;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the package of FIG. l. in the transferconfiguration;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the actuator employed in the package of FIG.1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view, partially in section, of a pressurizeddispensing supply package useful with the user package shown in FIGS.1-3;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the pressurized dispensing supply package shownin FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a developed view of cooperating portions of the pressurizeddispensing user package of FIG. I and the pressurized dispensing supplypackage of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a system including the user package ofFIG. I in its transfer configuration and the supply package of FIG. 6 injuxtaposed spaced relation.

DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings,there is shown in FIGS. 1-4 a pressurized dispensing package, generallydesignated 10, comprising a one and one-half inch diameter cylindricalcontainer '12 having a reduced neck portion 14, the central opening ofwhich is closed by a valve assembly including a tubular valve stem 16extending upwardly from a closure 18 whose annular rim 20 is crimpedover the bead edge of the container opening. Circumferentially spacedserrations (not shown) project radially outwardly from rim 20.

An actuator assembly, generally designated 30 and including an actuator32 and support collar or cap 34, is mounted on container with cap 34engaging valve closure 18 and' container 12. As shown, cap 34 is ofgenerally stepped-cylindrical configuration and includes a lower wall 36which engages the outer periphery of container 12, an intermediate wall38 engaging the periphery serrations of rim 20 and a radially inwardlyextending ridge 40 intermediate walls 36 and 33 snapped under the loweredge of rim 20. A horizontal wall 42 extends inwardly from wall 38 anddefines a circular opening surrounded by an upwardly extendingcylindrical guide wall 46. Wall 46 includes, at its upper edge, threecircumferentially spaced, radially outwardly projecting key lugs,designated 47, 48 and 49, respectively. As shown best in FIG. 8, lugs 47and 48 are substantially identical in configuration, each having alength of 0.120 inch, a height of 0.070 inch and a thickness of 0.050inch. The top of each lug 47, 48 is flush with the top of wall 46 andthe bottom of each includes a cam surface 50 that is 0.060 inch inlength and inclined at an angle of Guide lug 49 is of greater width(0.180 inch) than lugs 47 and 48 and includes a bayonet-like guideprojection 52 that extends upwardly 0.100 inch above the top of wall 46.Surface 53 of guide projection 52 is inclined at an angle of 30. A camsurface 51, similar to cam surfaces 50, is provided at the base of lug49.

The portion of wall 46 diametrically opposite lug 49, and midway betweenlugs 47, 48, is relieved through the thickness thereof to provide anopening 44 extending downwardly from the top of the wall.

Generally surrounding wall 46 on top wall 42 is a horseshoe shapedcollar 54 defining an inwardly facing surface portion 55 coaxial withand spaced from the outer surface of wall 46, and two foot portions 56.A

rectangular opening 58 extends through top wall 42 between foot portions56. A pair of opposed slotted guideways 60, defined at opposite ends ofopening 58, extend vertically downwardly from .the foot portions 56. Asshown each guideway 60 opens outwardly at its base 62. A latch structurethat includes an inclined planar cam surface 64 is provided adjacenteach end of opening 58 in the respective foot portion 56. Each camsurface 64 extends upwardly and away from the opening, at 45, and isaligned with the adjacent guideway 60. The bottom surface 66 of eachlatch structure is curved and provides ajournal surface. Opposed detents68 are provided on foot portions 56, on the side of opening 58 fartherfrom guide wall 46.

Actuator 32 is of molded organic plastic (high density polyethylene) andincludes a cylindrical outer wall 70, an inner hub 72 defining a socket74 to receive valve stem 16 with a close slip fit, a dispersing chamber76, and an 0.016 inch diameter orifice 78 extending through the wall ofhub 72 from chamber 76. A nozzle passage 80 in the form of a truncatedconical frustum, extends from orifice 78 to the outer surface of wall70. Radially extending from hub 72 as shown in FIG. 5 are five guideribs 82. The guide rib 82A opposite orifice 78 has a chamfer surface 84at its bottom edge and a similar chamfer surface 86 is formed in wallopposite surface 84.

A supporting structure 90, including a pair of oppositely extending stubshafts 92 connected at their adjacent ends to the bottom of a supportportion 94, extends generally downwardly from wall '70 below passage S0.A slot 96 extends through the thickness of support portion 76 betweenshafts 92 and provides increased flexibility for the arms 98 thatsupport shafts 92.

Actuator 32 and cap 34 are assembled by placing one of shafts 92 on eachof cam surfaces 64 and then forcing the actuator and cap towards eachother, thereby forcing shafts 92 downwardly through opening 53 so thateach shaft will snap into one of guideways 60. In the dispensingconfiguration (FIG. 2), valve stem 16 is slip-fitted within socket 74,and button outer wall 70 is located intermediate cap wall 46 and collar54. The contents of container 12 are dispensed through orifice 78 andnozzle passage by pressing down on the top of actuator 32, therebydepressing valve stem 16 and opening the dispensing valve.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-9, there is shown a refill or supply dispenser100 comprising a three inch diameter cylindrical container 102 having areduced neck portion 104, the central opening of which is closed by avalve assembly including a tubular valve stem 1% extending upwardly froma valve cap 108. A transfer button 110, circular in cross section, ismounted on stem 106 with the interior passage 112 of button 1 10 coaxialwith the stem. Passage 112 includes a lower socket portion 114 in whichstem 106 is tightly fitted, an upper socket portion 116 for receivingstem 16 of dispenser 10 in a tight slip fit, and a passage portion 118,0.09375 inch in diameter, intermediate socket portions 114 and 116. Alocating flange 120 carrying three angularly spaced, radially andupwardly extending ribs 121 extends outwardly from the base of button110.

A support cap 122 is mounted on dispenser 100 with the base ofcylindrical cap outer wall 124 engaging container 100 and the latchsurface at the base of cyfiindrical intermediate wall 126 engaged overthe rib of valve cap 108. As shown, the horizontal top wall 128 of cap122 defines a central opening 129. A cylindrical wall 130, 0.718 inch indiameter, defining a recess for button 110, extends downwardly fromopening 129. W all 130 terminates in an annular end surface 132 adjacentand facing flange 120. Radial slots 134 extend upwardly from surface 132into wall 130 and receive ribs 121.

Also defined, at the inner circumferential surface of wall 130, arethree circumferentially spaced keyways 136, 138, 140, which extenddownwardly from top wall 128 and are sized and adapted for receivinglugs 4-7, 43, 49, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 7 and f; keyway 140,which is for receiving lug 49, is of greater width (0.196 inch) than arekeyways 136 and 1.30 (0.136 inch). The lower portion of each keyway isof increased width (60 in annular length) and includes acircumferentially offset locking surface 142 which cooperates with camsurface 50.

When it is desired to refill container 10, actuator 32 is first movedfrom the position shown in FIG. 2 upwardly relative to cap 34 and valvestem 16 until shafts 92 engage the journal surfaces 66, therebywithdrawing (as shown in FIG. 3). The actuator is then pivoted 90 aboutthe axis of shafts 84 until support portion 94 is snapped under detents68 and the front of the support portion engages top wall 42 (FIG. 9).Stem I4 and wall 46 arenow fully exposed and accessible, permittingcontainers l0 and 100 to be locked together with their respective valvestems 16, 1496 in communication.

Projecting guide key 49 provides ready identification and facilitatesproper alignment of the user and supply containers 10, 100. Coordinatedkeys 47 and 48 are correlated in angular position with guide key 49 sothat only the proper supply and auxiliary packages may be coupledtogether. In a transfer operation, as indicated in FIG. 9, the packages10, 100 are axially aligned and teen moved relatively together snuglyslip-fitting wall 46 and stem 16 into, respectively, the recess definedby wall 130 and upper socket portion 116. With particular reference toFIG. 8, lugs 47, 48, 49 fit within, respec tively, keyways I36, 138, and140. With the-top of stem 16 fitted in socket 116 and guide key 49aligned with keyway 140, the containers are pushed manually together.The two containers may now be relatively rotated, and the interactionbetween the cam surfaces 50 and 51 of the lugs of container 110 andlocking surfaces 142 of the keyways of container 100 will secure thecontainers together. In this position valve stems 16 and 106 aredepressed and the respective valves of the two containers are open,permitting material from supply container 100 (which is at higherpressure) to flow into 'user container 10.

, chamfer surface 84 of rib 82A receiving indexing projection 49 forinitial guidance. In this position, user container 10 is again ready forconventional use by the consumer.

A typical consumer may have several different pressurized dispensinguser packages, each of which contains a different substance. It isimportant to insure that, for example, a container of shaving cream isnot refilled with mosquito repellant. The supply and user containers l0and 100 are coordinated so that only properly correlated containers maybe fitted together. In the disclosed system, guide projection 49 willfit only within keyway 140, it being too wide for keyways 136 and 138.Lug 49 and keyway 140 thus serve as an indexing function, facilitatingthe proper relative rotational orientation of the two containers.

The angular position of identification projections 47 and 48, and ofkeyways 136 and I38, is a function of the contents of the particularcontainer so that two containers, when properly rotationally oriented bythe indexing system, may be interlocked only if the identification keysand keyways are also properly aligned. For example, the identificationprojections or keyways of a user container of shaving cream are locatedin positions that are angularly (relative to indexing key or keyway)different fromthe positions of the identification keys of a usercontainer of mosquito repellant, so that it is physically impossible toconnect an incompatible supply container.

.For further safety and convenience, it may be further desirable tocolor code or otherwise optically identify the keys and/or otherportions of the packages.

Other embodiments within the scope of the appended claims will occur tothose skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination:

a first pressurized dispensing package of the type including dischargecontrol valve structure;

a second pressurized dispensing package of the type including dischargecontrol valve structure;

and transfer structure including structure for defining a closed ductfor communication between said discharge control valve structures, eachsaid package further including interconnecting structure including alatch surface for engagement with the latch surface of theinterconnecting of the other package, said interconnecting structures,in latched engagement, maintaining said transfer structure and saidpackages in fixed position relative to each other and in communicationwith each other through said control valve structures for transfer ofmaterial from one package to the other in a refilling operation.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein one of said interconnectingstructures includes a recess and the other of said interconnectingstructures includes a projecting lug, said recess and lug being arrangedso that relative engagement of cooperating surfaces of said recess andsaid lug latch said interconnecting structures together and preventmovement of said packages relatively apart.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said transfer structure comprisesa member having a pair of recesses and an internal duct portionconnecting said recesses, each of said recesses being arranged forreceiving at least a portion of one of said discharge passage structure.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein one of said interconnectingstructures includes a first wall member having a plurality of projectingmembers and the other of said interconnecting structures includes asecond wall member having cooperating recesses for engaging saidprojecting members.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said wall members are cylindrical.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said interconnecting structuresincludes means for permitting said communication only when said wallmembers are in one predetermined position of angular orientation.

7. The combination of claim v4 wherein said wall members are arranged tomate in sliding relation and one of said projecting members is of sizedifferent from the size of another of said projecting members permittingsaid packages to be brought into communication only when said contentsare such that the mixing of said contents is desirable.

8. In combination:

a first pressurized dispensing package of the type including dischargecontrol valve structure;

a second pressurized dispensing package of the type including dischargecontrol valve structure;

and transfer structure including structure for defining a closed ductfor communication between said discharge control valve structures, eachsaid package further including interconnecting.structure includingindexing means having a predetermined relationship to the contents ofits package, said indexing means being arranged to engage one anotherand permitting said packages to be brought into communication only whensaid contents are such that the mixing of said contents is desirable.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein each said interconnectingstructure includes a guide wall for in part locating its packagerelative to a cooperating package, an indexing portion, and a secondportion, the position of said second portion relative to said guide walland said indexing portion being predetermined with relation to thecontents of its package.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein each said guide wall iscylindrical and said indexing portions permit engagement of said guidewalls in only one position of angular orientation of said packages.

11. A pressurized dispensing package of the type including a valveassembly having a valve stem with a passage therethrough extendingupwardly from a container closure, a support cap mounted on saidcontainer, and an actuator including a recess for receiving at least aportion of said stem,

said actuator and said cap including cooperating portions permittingmovement of said actuator relative to said cap in a direction generallyparallel to the axis of said stem between a first position wherein saidstem is seated within said recess and a second position wherein saidactuator is spaced from said stem with said recess generally alignedwith said stem, said cooperating portions including stop means forpreventing movement of said actuator relatively away from said cap insaid direction beyond said second position,

said cooperating portions providing for pivotal movement of saidactuator relative to said cap about an axis generally perpendicular tosaid direction from said second position to a third position whereinsaid actuator is spaced to one side of and said recess is out ofalignment with said stem, said cooperating portions of said cap includean upstanding guide wall extending generally'parallel to the axis ofsaid stem, said wall being arranged for guiding said actuator duringsaid movement between said first and second positions, and at least oneindexing portion for engagement with a cooperating portion of a secondpressurized dispensing package when said cap and actuator are in saidthird position.

12. The package of claim 11 and further including a second cooperatingportion, the position of said second portion relative to said guide walland said indexing portion being predetermined with respect to thecontents of said package and said second package.

13. The package of claim 12 wherein said guide wall is cylindrical andfurther including latching structure for maintaining said package inposition relative to said second package during a material transferoperation.

14. The package of claim 11 and further including a second pressurizeddispensing package having an upstanding tubular valve stem; and transferstructure for engaging both of said stems for providing communicationbetween said stem when said actuator and said cap are in said thirdposition.

15. The combination of claim 14 wherein said transfer structure includesadjacent the end thereof nearer said second package a radially outwardlyextending flange, said second package includes a support cap mountedthereon, and said transfer structure and said second package support capinclude cooperating portions for permitting limited movement of saidtransfer structure relative to said second package in a directionsubstantially parallel to the axis of said transfer structure and forpreventing relative rotational movement of said transfer structure andsaid second package.

16. The combination of claim 14 and further including interconnectingstructure engaging and secured to each of said packages for maintainingsaid packages in position relative to each other with said stems incommunication.

17. The combination of claim 16 wherein one of said interconnectingstructures includes a plurality of lugs and the other of saidinterconnecting structures includes a plurality of guides associatedwith the other of said packages, each of said guides being arranged forengaging a corresponding one of said lugs.

18. The combination of claim 17 wherein a lug and a cooperating guideinclude camming surfaces, the camming surface of the lug engaging thecamming surface of the guide and relative rotation of saidpackages withsaid camming surfaces in engagement causing said packages to be drawntogether.

19. The combination of claim 18 wherein said interconnecting structuresincludes indexing means, each said indexing means having a predeterminedrelationship to the contents of its package and said indexing meanspermitting said stems to be brought into communication only when saidcontents are such as that mixing of said contents is desirable.

20. A pressurized dispensing package system comprising a firstpressurized dispensing package having projecting discharge passagestructure and interconnecting structure,

a second pressurized dispensing package having projecting dischargepassage structure and interconnecting structure,

said interconnecting structures of said packages being arranged forcooperating engagement for maintaining said packages in fixed positionrelative to each other, and transfer structure including structuredefining a closed passage providing communication between the dischargepassage structures of said first and second packages when said packagesare maintained in said fixed position by the engaged interconnectingstructures to permit transfer of material from one package to the otherthrough said discharge passage structures and said transfer structure ina refilling operation.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein one of said interconnectingstructures includes a plurality of lugs and the other of saidinterconnecting structures includes a plurality of guides associatedwith the other of said packages, each of said guides being arranged forengaging a corresponding one of said lugs.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein each of said lugs and guides includecamming surfaces, a camming surface of each lug engaging a cammingsurface of a guide and relative rotation of said packages with saidcamming surfaces in engagement causing said packages to be drawntogether.

3 ,735,785 9 W 23. The system of claim 22 wherein said intercontures tobe brought into communication only when said necting structures includeindexing means having a precontents are such as that mixing of saidcontents is dedetermined relationship to the contents of each of saidsirable. packages for permitting said discharge passage struc-

1. In combination: a first pressurized dispensing package of the typeincluding discharge control valve structure; a second pressurizeddispensing package of the type including discharge control valvestructure; and transfer structure including structure for defining aclosed duct for communication between said discharge control valvestructures, each said package further including interconnectingstructure including a latch surface for engagement with the latchsurface of the interconnecting of the other package, saidinterconnecting structures, in latched engagement, maintaining saidtransfer structure and said packages in fixed position relative to eachother and in communication with each other through said control valvestructures for transfer of material from one package to the other in arefilling operation.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein one of saidinterconnecting structures includes a recess and the other of saidinterconnecting structures includes a projecting lug, said recess andlug being arranged so that relative engagement of cooperating surfacesof said recess and said lug latch said interconnecting structurestogether and prevent movement of said packagEs relatively apart.
 3. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein said transfer structure comprises amember having a pair of recesses and an internal duct portion connectingsaid recesses, each of said recesses being arranged for receiving atleast a portion of one of said discharge passage structure.
 4. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein one of said interconnecting structuresincludes a first wall member having a plurality of projecting membersand the other of said interconnecting structures includes a second wallmember having cooperating recesses for engaging said projecting members.5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said wall members are cylindrical.6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said interconnecting structuresincludes means for permitting said communication only when said wallmembers are in one predetermined position of angular orientation.
 7. Thecombination of claim 4 wherein said wall members are arranged to mate insliding relation and one of said projecting members is of size differentfrom the size of another of said projecting members permitting saidpackages to be brought into communication only when said contents aresuch that the mixing of said contents is desirable.
 8. In combination: afirst pressurized dispensing package of the type including dischargecontrol valve structure; a second pressurized dispensing package of thetype including discharge control valve structure; and transfer structureincluding structure for defining a closed duct for communication betweensaid discharge control valve structures, each said package furtherincluding interconnecting structure including indexing means having apredetermined relationship to the contents of its package, said indexingmeans being arranged to engage one another and permitting said packagesto be brought into communication only when said contents are such thatthe mixing of said contents is desirable.
 9. The combination of claim 8wherein each said interconnecting structure includes a guide wall for inpart locating its package relative to a cooperating package, an indexingportion, and a second portion, the position of said second portionrelative to said guide wall and said indexing portion beingpredetermined with relation to the contents of its package.
 10. Thecombination of claim 9 wherein each said guide wall is cylindrical andsaid indexing portions permit engagement of said guide walls in only oneposition of angular orientation of said packages.
 11. A pressurizeddispensing package of the type including a valve assembly having a valvestem with a passage therethrough extending upwardly from a containerclosure, a support cap mounted on said container, and an actuatorincluding a recess for receiving at least a portion of said stem, saidactuator and said cap including cooperating portions permitting movementof said actuator relative to said cap in a direction generally parallelto the axis of said stem between a first position wherein said stem isseated within said recess and a second position wherein said actuator isspaced from said stem with said recess generally aligned with said stem,said cooperating portions including stop means for preventing movementof said actuator relatively away from said cap in said direction beyondsaid second position, said cooperating portions providing for pivotalmovement of said actuator relative to said cap about an axis generallyperpendicular to said direction from said second position to a thirdposition wherein said actuator is spaced to one side of and said recessis out of alignment with said stem, said cooperating portions of saidcap include an upstanding guide wall extending generally parallel to theaxis of said stem, said wall being arranged for guiding said actuatorduring said movement between said first and second positions, and atleast one indexing portion for engagement with a cooperating portion ofa second pressurized dispensing package when said cap and actuator arein said thirD position.
 12. The package of claim 11 and furtherincluding a second cooperating portion, the position of said secondportion relative to said guide wall and said indexing portion beingpredetermined with respect to the contents of said package and saidsecond package.
 13. The package of claim 12 wherein said guide wall iscylindrical and further including latching structure for maintainingsaid package in position relative to said second package during amaterial transfer operation.
 14. The package of claim 11 and furtherincluding a second pressurized dispensing package having an upstandingtubular valve stem; and transfer structure for engaging both of saidstems for providing communication between said stem when said actuatorand said cap are in said third position.
 15. The combination of claim 14wherein said transfer structure includes adjacent the end thereof nearersaid second package a radially outwardly extending flange, said secondpackage includes a support cap mounted thereon, and said transferstructure and said second package support cap include cooperatingportions for permitting limited movement of said transfer structurerelative to said second package in a direction substantially parallel tothe axis of said transfer structure and for preventing relativerotational movement of said transfer structure and said second package.16. The combination of claim 14 and further including interconnectingstructure engaging and secured to each of said packages for maintainingsaid packages in position relative to each other with said stems incommunication.
 17. The combination of claim 16 wherein one of saidinterconnecting structures includes a plurality of lugs and the other ofsaid interconnecting structures includes a plurality of guidesassociated with the other of said packages, each of said guides beingarranged for engaging a corresponding one of said lugs.
 18. Thecombination of claim 17 wherein a lug and a cooperating guide includecamming surfaces, the camming surface of the lug engaging the cammingsurface of the guide and relative rotation of said packages with saidcamming surfaces in engagement causing said packages to be drawntogether.
 19. The combination of claim 18 wherein said interconnectingstructures includes indexing means, each said indexing means having apredetermined relationship to the contents of its package and saidindexing means permitting said stems to be brought into communicationonly when said contents are such as that mixing of said contents isdesirable.
 20. A pressurized dispensing package system comprising afirst pressurized dispensing package having projecting discharge passagestructure and interconnecting structure, a second pressurized dispensingpackage having projecting discharge passage structure andinterconnecting structure, said interconnecting structures of saidpackages being arranged for cooperating engagement for maintaining saidpackages in fixed position relative to each other, and transferstructure including structure defining a closed passage providingcommunication between the discharge passage structures of said first andsecond packages when said packages are maintained in said fixed positionby the engaged interconnecting structures to permit transfer of materialfrom one package to the other through said discharge passage structuresand said transfer structure in a refilling operation.
 21. The system ofclaim 20 wherein one of said interconnecting structures includes aplurality of lugs and the other of said interconnecting structuresincludes a plurality of guides associated with the other of saidpackages, each of said guides being arranged for engaging acorresponding one of said lugs.
 22. The system of claim 21 wherein eachof said lugs and guides include camming surfaces, a camming surface ofeach lug engaging a camming surface of a guide and relative rotation ofsaid packages with said camming surfaces in engagement causing saidpackages to Be drawn together.
 23. The system of claim 22 wherein saidinterconnecting structures include indexing means having a predeterminedrelationship to the contents of each of said packages for permittingsaid discharge passage structures to be brought into communication onlywhen said contents are such as that mixing of said contents isdesirable.